Fastening device



y 1967 R. J. HOLTON 3,317,969

FASTENING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 2, 1962' INVENTOR. Roam-r J. HOLTON HTTORNEYJ y 1967 R. J. HOLTON 3,317,969

FASTENING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1962 3 $heet$Sheet 2 FIGS INVENTOR. Rooawcr J. Hon-om BY 751/95, F5775 1- 7259,65

F1 TTDRNEYS y 9, 1967 R. J.'HOLT( )N 3,317,969

FASTENING DEVICE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGI f F I 6. l8

INVENTOR. Rqsanr J. Hon-on F! G, I 7 BY 775465 F5725? 7 HTTmzNEys United States Patent 3,317,?69 FASTENING DEVIQE Robert 5. Bolton, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor to Tinnerman Products, Inc, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application Jan. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 163,938, now Patent No. 3,239,591, dated Jan. 25, 1966. Divided and this application June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,370

7 Claims. (Cl. 24-73) This is a divisional application of the co-pending application to Robert J. Holton, Ser. No. 163,938, filed Jan. 2, 1962, now Patent No. 3,230,591. This invention rel-ates in general to fastening means for drums, barrels and other such containers and deals more particularly with fastening devices for holding in place the removable cover or lids for such containers to prevent accidental or unintended opening of covers or lids of the container during handling, or the like.

In preparing tobacco or other such ingredients for shipment, containers such as tobacco hogsheads formed of. kraft paperboard or the like are utilized and provided with removable covers or lids made of paper coated plywood or the like. It is necessary or required, in such cases, that the containers be sealed positively against accidental opening or other such displacement of the covers or lids. In the past, difliculties have arisen when utilizing larger containers with correspondingly larger covers or lids because of the tendency for the larger surface areas to buckle or twist due to accidental or unintended pressures exerted against the walls of the containers when handled and prepared for shipment.

The fasteners of the present invention are especially advantageous for securing covers or lids on containers in which only a relatively small area is available for attaching the fasteners, or when the fasteners must be attached in small, close quarters, as required in many such assemblies wherein space is at a premium. i In this regard, the fasteners of the present invention comprise economical sheet metal supporting clips which are readily provided for attachment to the desired containers and together with locking clips are adapted to retain the fasteners in applied position against accidental-removal, shifting or displacement of the covers or lids when in the applied position therebetween.

In other forms of the present invention the fastening devices are extremely useful in retaining the flat sheets of kraft paperboard or the like as they are formed into a cylindrical container, such as a tobacco hogshead, which has, heretofore, presented difficulties due to the tendency of the flat sheets to fly apart before they could be secured in cylindrical form by suitable straps, cords or the like. In this regard, the fasteners of the present invention are additionally useful in providing a quick and efficient means for retaining reinforcing strips of kraft paperboard or the like, that are provided around the outer surface of a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like to strengthen the same when prepared for shipment or during other such handling.

A primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a simple, inexpensive construction for fasteners of this character which are adapted to be readily secured over the rim of a cylindrical container or the like in the applied position to retain the cover or lid thereon, and which fasteners are adapted for positive self-locking in such applied position to prevent accidental opening or removal of the cover or lid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide construction for sheet metal fastening devices of the kind described which are formed as inexpensive one or two piece clips having integral lockingmeans adapted for automatic self-locking action when in predetermined applied position on the rim portions of a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like in a manner which prevents loosening of the clips from the applied position and positively retains the covers or lids in closed position thereon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide fastening means of the kind described to be efi'iciently utilized in conjunction with supporting straps or the like that extend from and between opposed fastening devices when in the applied position on the rim portions of a cylindrical tobacco hogshead, or the like, and which extend through intermediate fastening means when in applied position on the cover or lid and in a manner to prevent twisting or buckling of the cover or lid when positioned on a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide fastening means of the kind described for quickly and efficiently retaining in the applied position flat sheets of kraft paperboard or the like when formed into cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide fastening means that are useful in providing a positive locking for reinforcing strips of kraft paperboard or the like that are positioned around cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like when prepared for shipment.

Further objects and advantages and other new and useful features in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements of the fastening devices of the invention will be readily apparent as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one of the fastening devices made in accordance with the invention and showing the locking clip as being made integral with the supporting clip;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the fastening device of FIG. 1 showing its back side;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the fastening device of FIG. 1 showing a modification of the locking clip;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the fastening device in FIG. 3 showing a modification of the supporting clip without the inner buckle-like strap retaining arm;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of another form of the fastening device of the present invention again showing the locking clip as being made integral with the supporting clip;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the fastening device in FIG. 5 showing its back side;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section showing another form of the fastening device of the present invention as seated in an automatic self-locking action in applied position retaining the cover or lid in closed position on the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the locking clip employed in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the supporting clip employed in conjunction with the locking clip in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section showing another form of the fastening device of the present invention as seated in an automatic self-locking action in applied position retaining the cover or lid in closing position on the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the locking clip employed in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the supporting clip employed in conjunction with the locking clip in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another form of the invention showing the fastening device as a single unit and including a dart-like leg for penetration into locking engagement with the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section showing the fastening device of FIG. 13 seated in automatic self-locking action in applied position retaining the cover or lid in closing position on the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of another form of the invention showing a fastening device utilized in retaining flat sheets of kraft paperboard or the like when formed into cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section showing the fastening device of FIG. 15 clamped in automatic self-locking action in applied position retaining the flat sheets of kraft paperboard or the like when formed into cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of another form of the invention showing a fastening device utilized in retaining the end portions of reinforcing strips positioned around the exterior surface of a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like;

FIG. 18 is an enlarge-d side elevational view showing the fastening device of FIG. 17 retaining in automatic selflocking action in applied position the end portions of reinforcing strips utilized in strengthening the outer surfaces of cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like.

Although the invention is shown herein as fastening covers or lids to a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like it will be understood that the invention may be utilized in securing covers or lids to various containers wherein it is desired to quickly and positively secure such covers or lids to such containers.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 7, l and 14 illustrate a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or container 1 of conventional commercial construction made preferably of a material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated board, kraft paperboard or the like, which may be provided with removable top and bottom lids 3, preferably made of a material, such as paper coated plywood or the like and which are retained in closed position within the container 1 by the fastening devices of the invention. The fastening devices are preferably secured in locked position over the rim portions of the container 1 at suitable spaced points around the circumference thereof. As shown, the container 1 is constructed with a hollow body portion which may be attained by forming the material of the container into a cylindrical shape and securing it therein by means of suitable straps (not shown) positioned around the body of the container and secured by the fastening devices of the invention. Additional straps (not shown) may be secured to the fastening devices from the interior of the container 1 and adapted to extend between opposing pairs of the fastening devices to thereby retain the fastening devices on the sides of the container or to prevent distortion or buckling of the top and bottom lids 3, as will be discussed in further detail subsequently.

The fastening devices of the present invention are adapted for enomical quantity production from standard sheet metal strip with little waste and may be fabricated from any suitable sheet metal material preferably of a spring-like nature, such as spring steel or cold rolled metal having spring-like characteristics. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastening device, designated generally at C, may include an inverted, generally U-shaped body defined by a longer resilient leg 8 and a relatively shorter resilient leg which extend downwardly and generally normally from a flat or planar tbridge portion 12. The legs 8 and 10 are preferably spaced apart by a distance suflicient to accommodate the thickness of the rim portion of the container 1 (FIG. 7) to which the device is to be applied.

In this form, a generally T-shaped bendable locking ,4 member 76 may be cut or stamped out of the material of the longer or outer leg 8. The locking member 76 includes a resilient arm 78 integrally connected at the juncture of the leg 8 with the bridge portion 12. The other or free end of the arm 78 is provided with a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed, generally triangularly shaped flanges 80 which are bent upwardly and generally perpendicular from the plane of the arm 78. An elongated slot 82 extends transversely intermediate the flanges 84) which is adapted to receive a suitable tool, such as a screw driver, so as to bend the arm 78 of the locking member 76 into overlying locking engagement with the cover 3 (FIG. 7) in the applied position of the fastening device. In this connection, it will be noted that the arm 78 of the locking member 76 can be naturally bent over and across the bridge portion 12, :as shown by dotted line at 84, when pressure is applied by means of the tool, as aforesaid.

The resilient arm 78 may be further provided adjacent its upper marginal edge with a crimped portion 86 which curves upwardly and inwardly (FIG. 1) which is adapted to be received within a corresponding elongated, transverse slot 88 provided adjacent the lower marginal edge of the inner leg 10 for retaining the locking member 76 in bent secured engagement with the cover 3 of the container 1 in the applied position of the device.

In this form, the leg 10 further includes a depending shank 90, of lesser width in transverse dimension, extending downwardly therefrom in the same general plane as the leg 10. The shank 90 may be provided with two generally triangular shaped supporting Webs 92 which are spaced apart and which extend parallel to one another and generally normally from the shank 90. The upper marginal edges 91 of the webs 92 are substantially co-planar with one another to provide a shelf-like support for the cover 3 upon assembly of the latter with the container.

In this form, to secure further frictional engagement with the interior of the container wall and to provide a ready attachment for interior supporting straps (not shown) within the container, the shank 90 may be provided adjacent its lower end with a buckle-like flange 54. The flange 54 is preferably of a polygonal, such as rectangular, shaped configuration having an elongated slot 62 which opens onto one edge thereof, as at 63. The edges of the flange are preferably tapered, as at 66, to provide a flared opening into the slot 62 to facilitate insertion of a strap therein. The slot 62 is preferably dimensioned to accommodate the desired size of strap therein. In this form, the interior supporting straps are simply looped through the slot 62 to be retained against lateral shifting movement by the shoulder 67.

In a typical application for locking the cover 3 on the rim of a container 1, such as shown for instance in FIG.

7, any number of fastening devices C may be employed, as desired. Each device may be easily and quickly applied simply by placing the resilient legs 8 and 10 down over and on either side of the container rim until the bridge portion 12 rests upon the rim. The cover 3 may then be placed within the container 1 and in supported relation on the planar edges 91 of the spaced webs 92. Thus assembled, the resilient arm 78 of the locking member 76 may then be bent over the bridge portion 12 and down across the face of the inner leg 10, whereupon, the crimped portion 86 may be automatically snapped into engagement within the slot 88 in the leg 10. Thus bent and locked, the spaced flanges 80 of the locking member 76 are disposed in locking engagement upon the upper confronting surface of the cover 3 for positively retaining the latter against displacement in the assembled position thereof. By this construction, the cover is held in locked and supported relation between the flanges 80 of the locking member 76 and the webs 92 of the leg 10.

To prevent axial distortion or buckling of the cover in the applied position, interior supporting straps (not shown) may be looped through the buckle-like flanges 54 of respective of the fastening devices C and connected to the underside the cover as disclosed in the applicants above-mentioned Patent No. 3,230,591.

FIGS. 3 through 6, inclusive, illustrate other variations in this form of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a similar structural arrangement with the T-shaped locking member 76 cut or stamped out of the outer resilient leg 8, but with a portion of the elongated body 78 cut or stamped out of the bridge portion 12. In this variation, the triangular flanges 80 on the resilient arm 78 are bent over along the dotted line at 94 and are similarly locked in position over the cover 3 by securing the crimped portion 86 within the elongated slot 88 formed in the resilient arm 10. FIG. 4 shows a similar variation of this form of the fastening device absent the buckle-like arm 54, for securing the interior straps (not shown) to the cover 3. FIGS. 5 and 6 show still another variation of this form of the invention wherein the T-shaped locking member 76 is stamped or cut from the resilient leg and a bridge portion 12 of the U-shaped fastening device. In this case, the triangular flanges 80 may be formed with upstanding projections 96 whose outer edges taper generally downwardly and inwardly to fit tightly against the outer surface of the resilient leg 10 when the T-shaped locking member 76 is bent over and downwardly along the dotted line 98 into locking engagement with the cover 3. In this manner, the cover 3 is positively secured within the container 1 by the frictional engagement between the upper planar surfaces of the supporting flanges 92 and the projections 96 of the locking member portion 76.

FIGS. 7 through 9 inclusive, show another form of the invention which is correspondingly similar in purpose, function and use to that disclosed with reference to the aforementioned figures. In this form of the invention, shown generally at D, the fastening device may comprise a generally U-shaped locking clip LD and a generally angular or stepped supporting clip SD. The U-shaped locking clip LD may comprise a flat planar bridge portion 12 and two resilient leg portions 8 and 10 bent downwardly and normally from the bridge portion 12. The inner resilient leg 8 may comprise two indent portions 100 that project inwardly toward the surface of the resilient leg 8 and which are adapted to penetrate the wall of the container 1, thereby preventing lateral movement of the locking clip LD when positioned on the rim of the container 1. The inner leg 10, as shown, is further formed with a generally flat planar flange 102 that extends outwardly and normally from the face of the resilient leg 10 and extends over the cover 3, as shown at FIG. 7. The outer resilient leg 8, in this form of the invention, is providedwith a neck portion 104 of lesser dimension in horizontal cross section formed adjacent its lower end with an inwardly extending tab portion 106. The neck portion 104, with its corresponding tab portion 106, acts to secure the locking clip LD to the supporting clip SD as will, hereinafter, be discussed.

The supporting clip SD, as shown at FIG. 9 may be formed as a double step configuration from any suitable sheet metal strip. A first vertical upstanding wall portion 108 is formed with an angularly extending flange 112 Which projects outwardly when assembled on the wall of the container 1. The vertical upstanding wall is bent outwardly adjacent its lower extremity to form a first planar step 110 which extends generally normally from the vertical wall a distance which corresponds generally to the thickness of the container wall. A horizontally extending slot 114, of a width suflicient to receive the neck portion 104 of the locking clip LD, is formed at the first bend between the vertical wall and the first planar step 110. The first planar step 110 is bent vertically downwardly adjacent its outer edge to form a second vertical wall 116 which in turn is bent outwardly to form a second planar step 118 extending generally normally from the second vertical wall and adapted to support the cover 3 when assembled on the container 1.

A typical application of this form of the invention is shown generally at FIG. 7, wherein the supporting clip SD and the locking clip LD are assembled on the rim of the container 1 to retain the cover 3 in closed position. Each supporting clip SD is assembled on the container, as shown at FIG. 7, by forcing it through material of the wall or by inserting it through an aperture 109 in the wall so that the first vertical upstanding wall 108 extends upwardly along the outer surface of the container, with the first planar step 110 extending horizontally between the inner and outer surfaces of the container wall. In this manner, the second vertical wall 116 of the clip will extend downwardly along the inner surface of the container wall and the second planar step 118 will extend outwardly to support the cover 3, when placed within the container 1.

Each locking clip LD may then be easily and quickly applied to the container by placing the resilient legs 8 and 10 on either side of the container rim with the bridge portion 12 resting on the upper surface of the rim. The indent portions 100, on the inner resilient leg 8, may be pressed into piercing engagement with the material of the container wall to prevent lateral displacement of the clip. The neck portion 104 is then pressed downwardly through the horizontally extending slot 114 of the supporting clip SD, whereby the tab portion 106 on the neck prevents withdrawal ofthe latter from the supporting clip SD and positively locks the cover 3 in frictional engagement between the fastening clips.

FIGS. 10 through 12, inclusive, show another form of the invention, wherein the fastening devices, shown generally at E, may again comprise a generally U-shaped locking clip LE and a supporting clip SE. The U-shaped locking clip LE may again include a flat planar bridge portion 12 and two resilient legs 8 and 10 bent downwardly and normally from the bridge portion 12. The resilient leg 10 may similarly include two indent portions that project inwardly toward the resilient leg 8 and which act to penetrate the material of the container wall for retaining the latter against lateral movement or displacement. In this form, the resilient leg 10 may be formed with a generally rectangular opening with a countersunk or crimped edge 122 extending out of the plane of the resilient leg 10 and continuously around the periphery of the opening 120. The edge portion 122 is formed to curve outwardly and inwardly from the face of the resilient leg 10 toward the geometric center of the opening 120.

The supporting clip SE, as shown at FIG. 12 in finished form, is of an irregular shape, but similarly may be formed from a flat sheet of metal. As shown, the clip comprises a generally flat base portion 124 with two vertically opposed flange portions 126 which bend upwardly and outwardly and are of a dimension sufficient to be secured beneath the crimped or countersunk edge 122 surrounding the opening 120 of the locking clip LE. The base portion 124 may be formed with a first pair of opposed supporting arm portions 128 which extend parallel and normally from the base portion 124. The base portion may additionally be provided with a second pair of supporting arm portions 130 which extend parallel and normally from the plane of the base portion 124 and whose planes are generally perpendicular to the planes of the first mentioned pair of supporting arm portions 128. The distance between the lower edges of the first pair of arm portions 128 and the upper surfaces of the second pair of arm portions 130 is sufficient to frictionally secure the cover 3 when the latter is assembled therebetween.

In application of this form of the invention, as shown at FIG. 10, the U-shaped locking clips LE are positioned on the rims of the container 1, as aforementioned, with the indents 100 forced into the container wall to secure the clips against lateral movement. The supporting clips SE are then positioned around the periphery of the cover and locked positively into engagement with the locking clip SE by applying pressure to the cover 3 and snapping the flanges L26 beneath the crimped edge 122 extending from the locking clip LE. In this manner, the cover 3 is held in positive frictional engagement between the two pairs of supporting arms 128 and 130 of the supporting clip SE.

FIGS. 13 and 14, inclusive, show another form of the invention, illustrated generally at F, and of a generally U-shaped configuration. In this form, the U-shaped fastening clip may be bent to form a base portion 12 with a resilient dart-like leg portion 132 which extends downwardly along the surface at 134 and outwardly along the surface at 1 36, defining lateral projections 138 for bearing on the outer surface of the container wall in the applied position of the fastening clip. The reduced free end portion of said leg 132 provides a vertical abutment 140 adjoining said lateral projection 138. An inwardly extending dart portion 142 is spaced from the lateral projections 138 and of a length sufficient to pass through the container wall and into locking engagement with the cover 3 when in the applied position.

A resilient cooperating leg portion 144 is formed from the other free end portion of said fastening clip base 12 which extends angularly downwardly along its surface at 146 and angul-arly outwardly along its surface at 148, thus defining a generally U-shaped supporting channel 150.

The U-shaped supporting channel 150 is formed by continuing to bend the leg portion 148 inwardly along its surface at 151 and then vertically downwardly along its surface to form a bowed or curved base portion 152. The base portion 152 is then bent outwardly along a planar surface at 154, thus defining the U-shaped channel 150 therein. The bowed or curved base portion 152 of the U-shaped channel 150 is formed with an opening 1'56, sufficient in dimension to receive the end of the dart portion 142 when in the applied position, to retain the fastening clip in locked position on the rim of the container 1. The leg portion 144 is bent inwardly and angularly outwardly beyond the bowed or curved base portion 152, along its surface at 158 and then vertically downwardly, defining a flange portion 160. The flange 160 frictionally engages the inner surface of the container 1 and acts to space the U-shaped channel 150 from the inner surface of the container 1.

In application of this form of the invention, there is shown at FIG. 14, the 'U-shaped fastening device F positioned on the rim of the container 1, as aforementioned With respect to other forms of the invention. The cover 3, in this form, is then supported Within the U-shaped channel 150. Pressure is then applied to the dart-like portion 162, causing the dart portion 142 to penetrate through the container wall and into frictional engagement within the opening 156 in the base portion 152 of the U-shaped channel 150, thus automatically and positively locking the cover 3 within the container 1 when in the applied position.

FIGS. 15 and 16, inclusive, show another form of the invention, illustrated generally .at G, of a generally U- shaped configuration. In finished form, the U-shaped fastening clips may be bent to define a base portion 12 with inner and outer opposed resilient leg portions 162 and 164, respectively, which diverge outwardly from the base portion 12. As shown, the inner resilient leg portion 162 is bent adjacent its outer end to form an indent portion 166 which acts to penetrate the inner surface of the container when in the applied position, to prevent displacement of the fastening clips. The outer resilient leg 164 is formed adjacent its outer end in the shape of a V defining a pair of indent portions 168 at the tips of the V which extend inwardly and horizontally when in the applied position. The indent portions 168 thus penetrate the outer .surface of the container to thereby additionally secure the fastening clips against displacement.

In application of this form of the invention, as shown at FIG. 16, the U-shaped fastening clips are positioned on the rim of the container 1, wherein the indents 168 and 16 6 are forced inwardly to retain the ends of the flat sheets of kraft paperboard or the like as they are formed into cylindrical tobacco hogsheads or the like. It will be noted, that the spaced indents 168, which engage the outer surface of the container, each act to penetrate an end of a flat sheet of the kraft paperboard or the like which form the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like. Moreover, the indents 168 thus positively act to lock the sheets against their spreading apart when formed into the desired cylindrical shape.

"FIGS. 17 and 18, inclusive, show another form of the invention illustrated generally at H, which is in the form of a clip constructed of sheet metal defining a body or base portion 170. The body portion 170 may be provided at one end with a first pair of longitudinal slits defining a spring arm 17.2 between the side portions 171 of the body portion and spaced from the plane of the body portion 170 a distance .suflicient to frictionally engage the end of a reinforcing strip when in applied position. The spring arm 172 is free at one end and may be generally flared as at 174 to facilitate insertion of the reinforcing strip therebetween. The side portions 171 may be provided with upstanding indents 176 which act to secure the reinforcing strips when inserted beneath the spring arm 172.

The opposite end of the body portion 170 may be provided with a second pair of slits defining two additional spring arms 178 on either side of an intermediate base portion 180 and spaced from the plane of the base portion a distance sufficient to frictionally engage the corresponding end of a reinforcing strip, when in applied position around the container. The intermediate base portion 180 may be formed with an upstanding indent 182 which functions in the same manner as indent 176.

In application of this form of the invention, as shown at FIG. 18, one end of the fastening clip 170 is secured to an end of a reinforcing strip of kraft paperboard or the like, shown generally at 184. The reinforcing strip 184 is then formed around the outer surface of a cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like with its free end secured by frictional engagement with the opposite end of the clip 171 In this manner, the reinforcing strip 184 is positively locked about the outer surface of the cylindrical tobacco hogshead or the like and acts to prevent damage through buckling or twisting, when prepared for shipment or the like.

While the invention has been described in detail with specific examples, such examples are intended as illustrations only, inasmuch as it will be apparent that other modifications in the construction, arrangement and general combination of parts may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the fastening devices of FIGS. 7 to 12 may be provided with the modified forms of the buckle-like flange 54 when it is desired to extend the interior supporting straps between upper and lower fastening devices thereby providing additional means for retaining the devices on the side of the container or when it is desired to prevent buckling of the cover as disclosed in the abovementioned Patent No. 3,230,591. In this respect, it is to be understood that the buckle-like flange 54 may be used where it is not desired to reinforce the cover. In the latter case, the arm 54 is used to connect upper and lower pairs of fastening devices by means of the interior supporting straps. Accordingly, any of the fastening devices may be connected in pairs by means of the interior straps for retaining the fastening devices on the side of the hogshead or the fastening devices may be used with the interior straps when it is desired to additionally support the covers against distortion. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of invention being indicated by the appended claimed subject matter rather than by the foregoing description, with all changes falling within the scope, meaning and range of equivalency of the claims intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A fastening device for mounting a cover or the like in closed position on a container, said device comprising a generally U-shaped body having a pair of spaced, generally parallel legs extending downwardly from a base portion and adapted for securement over a marginal edge of a container, one of said legs including at least one generally vertical extending web portion bent outwardly therefrom which provides a support to receive in supporting relation thereon a cover when applied in a closed position with a container, a deformable locking arm struck-out from the material of said body and intergally attached at one end to said body for pivotal movement through a generally vertical plane toward and away from a cover when in position on said Web portion, said arm including at least one generally vertically extending flange portion bent outwardly adjacent the free end thereof and adapted for overlying engagement against a confronting upper surface of a cover for retaining the same in closed position on said web portion.

2. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said arm includes a terminal end portion bent downwardly therefrom, and wherein one of said legs has an elongated sl-ot adapted to slidably receive therethrough said terminal end portion for retaining the flange on the said arm in overlying engagement with a confronting upper surface of a cover.

3. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1,

tainer includes a reduced width shank portion extending downwardly therefrom and in the general plane of said leg, and wherein said web portion exteends outwardly from said shank portion. 5. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said arm is struck-out of the material of the leg which is disposed exteriorly of said container, and wherein said arm is integrally connected at one end adjacent the juncture of said exterior leg with said base portion.

6. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said arm is struck-out of the material of the leg which is disposed exteriorly of said container and said base portion, and wherein said arm is integrally connected at one end adjacent the juncture of said interior leg with said base portion.

7. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said arm is struck-out of the material of said leg which is disposed interiorly of said container and said base portion, and wherein said arm is integrally connected at one end adjacent the juncture of said interior leg with said base portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS wherein one of said legs includes a buckle-like means dis- 35 posed below said web portion for engageably retaining an interior supporting strap therein to prevent buckling of a cover when in a closed position on a container.

4. A fastening device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the leg which is disposed interiorly of the con- 648,012 4/1900 Wilton 217-89 701,267 5/1902 Heinig 217 89 1,464,869 8/1923 Forsman 217-89 1,653,465 12/1927 Montan etal 24 150 2,052,489 8/1936 Purdy 217-89 2,149,918 3/1939 Komorous 2481 2,503,222 4/1950 Simons 21789 2,646,808 7/1953 Yenne 24-81XR FOREIGN PATENTS 381,041 9/1915 Germany.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. E. SIMO-NSEN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FASTENING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A COVER OR THE LIKE IN CLOSED POSITION ON A CONTAINER, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED BODY HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED, GENERALLY PARALLEL LEGS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM A BASE PORTION AND ADAPTED FOR SECUREMENT OVER A MARGINAL EDGE OF A CONTAINER, ONE OF SAID LEGS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE GENERALLY VERTICAL EXTENDING WEB PORTION BENT OUTWARDLY THEREFROM WHICH PROVIDES A SUPPORT TO RECEIVE IN SUPPORTING RELATION THEREON A COVER WHEN APPLIED IN A CLOSED POSITION WITH A CONTAINER, A DEFORMABLE LOCKING ARM STRUCK-OUT FROM THE MATERIAL OF SAID BODY AND INTEGRALLY ATTACHED AT ONE END TO SAID BODY FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH A GENERALLY VERTICAL PLANE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM A COVER WHEN IN POSITION ON SAID WEB PORTION, SAID ARM INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTION BENT OUTWARDLY ADJACENT THE FREE END THEREOF AND ADAPTED FOR OVERLYING ENGAGEMENT AGAINST A CONFRONTING UPPER SURFACE OF A COVER FOR RETAINING THE SAME IN CLOSED POSITION ON SAID WEB PORTION. 